Alaska is probably one of the few places where one can go ice climbing during the summer. This is because there are countless glaciers in Alaska; the one that I got to climb on was Exit Glacier, just outside of Seward. I had never ice climbed before but I love rock climbing (the little bit of it that I have done) so I figured I would give ice climbing a try. Lucky for me, I was able to tag along with Exit Glacier Guides for free because of my company connections. After a two mile hike up to the glacier, we put on our crampons and began our excursion dirty, white and blue mass. It was a bit tricky learning how to walk in the crampons but I got the hang of it before too long. We came to a wall of about twenty feet high and took turns ascending the wall.
Our next goal was to climb down into some crevasses; I was excited about that. It was pretty intimidating to lean backwards down an icy abyss while the guide lowered me. All of my instincts shouted at me “Why are you backing down into an icy grave?” Yet the rope was there and I was safe. I descended two crevasses and that was enough for me; kicking and hammering an ice wall and pulling myself up was quite a workout.
Don’t look down, a beautiful, icy death awaits you 😉
Little glacial stream
While it’s pretty cool being down in a crevasse and scrambling around a glacier, I like rock climbing much better. Ice climbing feels like you are driving nails or something. Rock climbing, on the other hand, is fluid and intuitive in its movements. I like being able to use my whole body as a tool; nothing between me and the rock (excepting ropes). Nonetheless, I’m glad I tried it and I’d probably do it again someday.
Pilgrim's Map 